Does Insurance Cover A Hit And Run? Understanding Your Auto Policy And Coverage Options

When you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, you’re often left with more questions than answers—especially when it comes to paying for medical bills or damage to your car. The reality is that while Texas law requires minimum liability insurance, that coverage won’t help you if the other driver flees the scene. The good news? Certain types of auto insurance may help cover your expenses, even when the at-fault driver is unknown or can’t be located.

If you’ve been the victim of a hit-and-run, call Allbee Law Firm at (972) 848-4848. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you understand your options and guide you through the claims process.

What Is A Hit-and-Run Accident And Why Coverage Matters

How Texas Law Defines A Hit-and-Run Incident

A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver causes a crash and then leaves the scene without providing their name, contact details, or insurance information. Under Texas law, all drivers involved in a collision that results in injury, death, or property damage are legally required to remain at the scene and provide assistance if necessary. When someone flees, they commit a serious offense—potentially even a felony.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run crashes are more common than many people realize. In 2024, Texas experienced thousands of motor vehicle accidents, and many involved drivers who failed to stop or take responsibility for their actions.

Why Insurance Coverage Is Crucial When A Driver Leaves The Scene

When the at-fault driver disappears, it becomes nearly impossible to hold them accountable without identifying details like a license plate. That’s why your car insurance policy plays such a vital role. Without the right types of coverage, you may be forced to pay for damage to your car or medical treatment out of pocket. Knowing which car insurance covers hit-and-run incidents can help you avoid financial hardship.

Does Insurance Cover A Hit And Run If The Other Driver Flees The Scene?

What Insurance May Cover A Hit-and-Run Accident

If the driver who caused your accident takes off, your insurance coverage might still protect you, depending on your policy. Most standard liability policies won’t help because liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to others. However, you may still be covered if your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, or personal injury protection (PIP).

Each option is designed to help you pay for repairs or medical bills when the other driver can’t be identified. While not all coverage is mandatory in Texas, adding these protections can make a huge difference if you’re ever involved in a hit-and-run accident.

When Insurance Won’t Pay For A Hit-And-Run

If your policy doesn’t include the right coverage—like collision coverage or UMPD (Uninsured Motorist Property Damage)—your insurance company may deny your claim. In these cases, drivers often find out the hard way that required coverage in Texas doesn’t extend to hit-and-run scenarios. And if you only have the state minimum liability insurance, you’ll likely have to cover the physical damage and medical costs yourself.

That’s why we always recommend reviewing your coverage options and talking to your insurance company and an experienced hit-and-run attorney to understand exactly what your policy includes.

What Types Of Car Insurance May Cover A Hit-and-Run Accident?

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD)

Texas allows drivers to purchase uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage, which can be especially helpful in hit-and-run cases. While this type of insurance coverage is generally intended for crashes involving uninsured drivers, it can also apply when a driver flees the scene and cannot be identified—if your policy includes this protection.

UMPD coverage typically helps cover your damages, such as vehicle repair costs, even if the hit-and-run driver is never found. However, not all policies offer this automatically. If you opted out of UMPD when purchasing your auto insurance policy, your insurer won’t pay for hit-and-run property damage under this coverage type.

Collision Coverage Protects You When The At-Fault Driver Is Unknown

Another option that can provide relief after a hit-and-run is collision coverage. Unlike liability insurance, collision coverage protects your vehicle regardless of who caused the car accident. That means if someone hits your car and leaves the scene, your insurer can step in and help pay for repairs.

Remember that collision coverage is optional, and you’ll typically need to carry collision coverage to file a claim after a hit-and-run. Also, you’ll likely have a deductible to pay before your insurer contributes toward the remaining repair costs. Despite this out-of-pocket expense, collision coverage often provides critical financial support during unexpected incidents.

PIP, Med Pay, And Other Options To Cover Injuries

Injuries from a hit-and-run accident can range from minor to severe, especially if the collision was at high speed or involved pedestrians. Look into personal injury protection (PIP) and Med Pay to cover injuries for you and everyone in your car.

PIP coverage is often recommended because it covers medical bills and may also cover lost wages and other expenses resulting from your injuries. Similarly, Med Pay—short for medical payments coverage—can cover emergency treatment, surgery, and hospital visits, regardless of who was at fault.

While these types of insurance coverage don’t cover vehicle repairs, they are invaluable when the hit-and-run driver is never identified, and you’re left dealing with unexpected medical costs.

Will Insurance Cover A Hit-And-Run If Your Car Was Parked?

Does Car Insurance Cover Hit-And-Runs Involving A Parked Car?

One of the most frustrating situations is walking outside to find your parked car damaged and no note in sight. In these cases, you might wonder if car insurance covers the repairs. The answer depends on your coverage.

If you have collision coverage, your insurer may still cover the damage, even if the responsible driver is never identified. Additionally, if your policy includes uninsured motorist property damage, it may apply if there is physical evidence of another vehicle being involved.

Without either of these types of coverage, you may be left footing the repair bill yourself, highlighting the importance of understanding what’s in your car insurance policy.

What Type Of Policy May Help Cover Repairs

For hit-and-run accidents involving parked cars, the two main types of insurance that may assist are:

Collision coverage
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)

If your vehicle is hit by another car and the driver flees the scene, these policies may also cover your expenses. However, remember that a deductible will likely apply, and the amount can vary depending on your insurer and policy.

Is There A Deductible To Pay On A Hit-and-Run Claim?

Understanding Your Deductible To Pay After A Hit-And-Run

If you use collision coverage or UMPD to file a claim for a hit-and-run, you’ll likely be responsible for paying a deductible. This is the portion of the repair cost you must pay before your insurance company covers the rest. Deductible amounts vary based on your car insurance policy and the coverage options you’ve selected.

For example, if your collision coverage has a $500 deductible and your repair costs are $2,000, your insurer will pay $1,500 after you cover the first $500. Some drivers are surprised to learn that this out-of-pocket cost applies even when the accident wasn’t their fault, making it all the more important to know your deductible limits before an incident occurs.

Can You Recover Your Deductible?

If the hit-and-run driver is eventually identified and has insurance, your insurer may be able to recover your deductible through subrogation. However, this process can take time and isn’t guaranteed. You’ll be responsible for the deductible in most hit-and-run cases where the at-fault driver remains unknown.

What Steps Should You Take After A Hit-And-Run Accident?

Call The Police And Gather Evidence

The first thing you should do after a hit-and-run is call the police. A police report creates a vital record of the incident and may help support your insurance claim. Be sure to describe everything you remember, including the direction the other vehicle fled, its color, make, or any part of the license plate you may have seen.

Take photos or video of the scene, your vehicle’s damage, and any debris or skid marks. This documentation can be crucial for your insurance company or agent and may strengthen your claim.

Make Sure Everyone Is Safe And Assess The Damage

If the crash involved passengers or occurred while you were driving, check to make sure everyone is safe. Seek medical attention if needed, even if injuries seem minor. Then, assess the damage to your vehicle and surroundings. Documenting both physical and property damage is key to ensuring you get the compensation you’re entitled to.

Let Us Handle The Insurance Claim For You

After notifying law enforcement about the hit-and-run, the next step is starting the insurance claim—but that’s something we take care of for you. At Allbee Law Firm, we set up the claim on your behalf and handle all communication with the insurance company. This helps protect the value of your case by ensuring nothing is said that could be misinterpreted or used against you.

By letting us take the lead, you can focus on what matters most—your recovery—while we ensure every detail is addressed and your rights are fully protected.

Does Liability Coverage Help With A Hit-And-Run?

Why Liability Insurance Isn’t Enough

In Texas, the law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. However, liability coverage only pays for damage or injuries you cause to others, not damage caused to your vehicle by someone else. So, if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, your basic liability policy won’t pay for your losses.

Unfortunately, many drivers believe they’re protected simply because they meet state minimums. That’s why we always advise reviewing your policy and considering additional coverage options that specifically apply to hit-and-run situations.

What Coverage Options Should You Consider Adding?

To protect yourself against the financial aftermath of a hit-and-run, consider adding:

Collision coverage
Uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD)
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI)
Personal injury protection (PIP)
Med Pay

Each of these policy options may help cover different expenses depending on the event of a hit-and-run, from vehicle repair to medical bills. If you have a loan or lease, your lender may even require you to carry full coverage, which usually includes these protections.

How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After A Hit-And-Run

Help Filing An Insurance Claim And Negotiating With The Insurance Company

Navigating a hit-and-run claim can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with injuries or major vehicle damage. At Allbee Law Firm, we help clients file a claim, work directly with the insurance company, and make sure the claims process is handled thoroughly and efficiently.

We also ensure you aren’t pressured into accepting less than what your claim is worth. Whether it’s recovering medical bills, property repairs, pain and suffering, or lost wages, we’ll stand by your side every step of the way.

How We Prove Your Case When The Driver Isn’t Found

Even if the hit-and-run driver is never identified, we can help collect evidence, analyze police reports, and present a strong claim based on your existing auto insurance coverage. We’ve helped many clients recover compensation through collision coverage, UMPD, Medpay, and PIP—even when the responsible party flees the scene and can’t be held accountable directly.

Call Allbee Law Firm About Your Hit-and-Run Today

If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident and aren’t sure what your next steps should be, we’re here to help. Call Allbee Law Firm at (972) 848-4848 for a free consultation. We’ll review your insurance policy, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

FREE CASE REVIEW

CONTACT INFO

Address

5787 S. Hampton Rd.

Ste. 445

Dallas TX 75232

Phone

(972) 848-4848

Hours

Calls are answered 24/7

Office hours are 8 am – 5 pm

Monday – Friday

Office Location

One West Hills Building

(Near Hampton Road and Marvin

D. Love Freeway / U.S. Highway 67)